The most important thing to think about if you want to have parts of your body pierced is to prevent infection. The skin to be pierced must be clean and free from infection.
Instruments used for ear and body piercing can become contaminated with blood. If they are not properly cleaned and sterilised between clients then you could catch HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Surgical steel and gold are the best metals for jewellery as they can be easily sterilised.
Go to a registered shop
Make sure that the ear and body piercing shop you plan to use is registered with their local council, this includes mobile services and chemists who often provide ear piercing. To comply with health regulations:
- The shop must be kept clean and hygienic.
- Instruments and jewellery used to pierce the skin must be sterilised.
- The operator should not have exposed cuts or wounds and their clothes must be clean.
- The proprietor or operator must provide you with health information before any procedure is done.
The ideal ear and body piercing shop
The ideal body piercing shop will have:
- Good ventilation and lighting.
- A separate area set aside for the cleaning and sterilisation of instruments.
- Benches, floors, shelving and furniture that can easily be kept clean.
- A hand basin with taps operated electronically or by foot pedals.
Before your ears or body are pierced
Before piercing the operator should:
- Provide you with medically accurate health information
- Prepare the work area - by wiping down benches, chairs, lights and other furniture with warm water and detergent or by covering them with disposable paper.
- Disinfect your skin - with an antiseptic that contains alcohol, such as sterile disposable swabs. They should wait at least two minutes (and preferably five) before piercing your skin.
- Put on disposable gloves - immediately after washing their hands with water and soap, and drying hands with disposable paper towels.
Preventing allergic reactions
If you are prone to allergic reactions or suffer from eczema or dermatitis you should ask for jewellery which doesn’t contain nickel
Preventing cross contamination
Gloves must not be reused. If the operator is disrupted during piercing (for example, to answer the phone) they must first remove their gloves and wash their hands. Before recommencing piercing they must rewash their hands and put on new gloves.
Piercing needles, instruments and jewellery must be sterilised
Piercing jewellery needles and instruments:
- Must be thoroughly cleaned and sterilised before they are used on a client. It is even safer if operators use pre-sterilised, single use needles and instruments.
- Once sterilised they must be replaced if they are accidentally touched or contaminated in any other way.
- Must be held with sterile forceps unless the operator is wearing a new pair of disposable gloves.
- Must be sterilised in their sealed bag using an autoclave (steriliser).
- Once sterilized, must be stored in their sealed bags in a clean area.
- If disposable instruments are used, these must be disposed of in a sharps container, out of reach of children.
Ear piercing guns should only be used for ear piercing as they can damage other body parts if used for piercing.
Autoclaving is the only acceptable form of sterilisation
Autoclaves use steam and pressure to kill infectious organisms. Instruments, needles and jewellery should be sealed in autoclave pouches before autoclaving. The bags must remain sealed until the instruments or jewellery are needed.
After your ears or body are pierced
After ear or body piercing the operator should:
- Clean your skin with an anti-bacterial disinfectant.
- Apply anti-bacterial lotions or creams, if necessary.
Where to get help
- Department of Human Services, Public Health Division.
- Your local council.
Things to remember
- Body piercing shops and services should be registered with their local council.
- Only sterilised instruments and jewellery should be used.
You might also be interested in:
Hepatitis C.
Nipple piercing.
Want to know more?
Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.
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